Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-09 Daily Xml

Contents

AUSTRALIAN BIGHT ABALONE

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:29): Did the minister at any time discuss these issues, or related issues, with Mr Bolkus, or did any officer in the minister's office discuss these issues at any time with Mr Bolkus?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:29): I am not sure what issues the honourable member is talking about. If he is talking about the most recent issues being experienced, the answer is no; I have not been minister for agriculture since March 2004. So, it is over five years since I was minister for agriculture.

Certainly, some years back, when I was industry and trade minister, I looked at the operations of ABA when it was establishing near Waldegrave Island out of Elliston, but that was a long time ago. I am not sure whether or not Mr Bolkus was a member of the board, but he certainly has not approached me in relation to the issues of his company.